Vancouver, BC - The winners of the 48th annual Athletes of the Year Award were recognized in a ceremony held March 5, 2014 at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, organized by and hosted by Sport BC on behalf of BC's sports community and Simon Fraser University Clan alumna
Stacie Anaka (Victoria, BC) was one of the recipients.
Anaka was named the Sport BC Senior Female Athlete of the Year.
"I was very fortunate to have a very positive support group behind me," said Anaka. "Everything came together at the right time which allowed me to focus and concentrate more on enjoying myself and building on the successes throughout the year rather than worrying about each outcome."
This award recognizes extraordinary athletic performance by a female athlete who is competing on a team or in an individual sport in British Columbia.
"Winning this prestigious award is quite an honour to say the least. Having the opportunity to stand with many great female athletes is incredible and I feel very fortunate to be recognized for my accomplishments from this past year," finished Anaka.
Anaka is ranked number two in the world in her weight class.
In 2013, she was the top Canadian at the Senior World Championships earning a silver medal, and winning gold at the Pan American Games.
Anaka is the Senior Canadian National Champion, a bronze medalist at the World University games, and won a gold medal at the German Grand Prix.
She is still heavily involved in the Clan women's wrestling program, currently serving as the interim coach.
During her time with the Clan, Anaka won multiple Canadian Interuniversity Sport Championships.
Fellow Clan alumna
Danielle Lappage was chosen to represent Canada at the World Cup in Japan next week, where recent Clan graduates
Helen Maroulis (Rockville, MD) and
Victoria Anthony (Huntington Beach, CA) will also compete, respresenting the United States.
Maroulis and Anthony recently wrapped up their collegiate careers with their fourth straight Women's Collegiate Wrestling Association Championships at their respective weight classes.
They were the first two wrestlers to ever accomplish that feat.
Lappage, Maroulis and Anthony all wrestled at the Klippan International last weekend with Maroulis and Anthony claiming silver in their weight classes.
Anthony went 4-1 before losing to Ukraine in the final while Maroulis was 3-0 before being forced to forfeit the final due to an injury.
